I've just put on my first binding and made my first rosette and I'm ready to give up. It's hard to make the binding uniform and tight all the way around. Rosettes look good but it's easy to tear out some part of the marquetry while sanding. Does anyone make purfling or rosettes by putting dye into glue and just pouring it into the channel, then sanding it off later? Jesse Tinsley

I know what you mean Jesse. Now here is an area where we need a good jig. There are a few out there, but the ones I've seen are cumbersome and don't really do a lot for you. In the end it comes down to finesse and even with practice mistakes do happen. There is a shattered uke downstairs right now...the product of Sunday's binding demonstration gone wrong. It is a little discouraging to see that happen to someone who has been doing it for years. We will have to think of a better way...

The dye into glue is a great effect. Try using acrylic resin, like they use for surfboards. There are pigments you can add to it for almost any color.

JesseIf you are making your rosette out of wood and are having trouble shaping your circle try using very thin cynoacrylate (super glue or hot stuff). Cover the area you are going to cut out withthe stuff and let it soak for about a minute and then use the activator to set it off. It should make your wood more consistant and less likely to chip. Oh yeah some waxed paper under your work should keep it from sticking to the table.Hope this helpsJon

aloha Hapakid...hey Jessie this one is for you...will be right nice and more of what you are thinking by way of rosettes. The product is called "inlace" and your local Woodcraft supplier has it...kinda expensive like 30.00 or so for a pint but thats alot. The stuff works like resin...its a powder and when mixed with catalyst turns into awesome colors like stone mosaic and turquoise... lots of colors , from jet black to white to colored marbles...now all ya gotta do is channel your rosette...and mix a small batch up and pour away...sandable and right nice...many guitar makers use this product...looks like granite.....and seems like a good way for you to try one...scrap piece first...laters ukeman

I was just out looking for some of the "Inlace" that you were talking about....hoooooo really humbug hea on da mainland looking fo da kine. You folks get one brand name or place to call fo find dis stuff. I wen aks and day wen give me da lolo look...hmmmm so ...kokua me an see if you can fine one brand name or whateva....

Kamano I also was wondering about this inlace also so I did a search on "inlace" and found this site www.turtlefeathers.com&nbsp; they have pics and accessories some kind of filler to add bulk to the product and a couple of other goodiesHope this helps BTW they don't have really good examples of how to use it just what it looks likeJon

Aloha, I've tried this product(INLACE). It's really easy to use. Almost like using epoxy. I used it for my rosette. Just make your channel, add your purflings, mix the inlace (part "A" and part "B") fill in the channel. Let dry, then sand flat. Pretty neat stuff. I've never tried to add crushed shell in it, think it'll look pretty neat. Have fun with the inlace, I did. Aloha, Zig

I use a laminate trimmer attached to a curcle cutting jig I made. I have one for the soundhole and one for the rosette. I use it with a spiral downcut bit. Works great and I never get tearout. If you like I can take a pic of it. If you have a laminate trimmer already it would be just a tiny bit of work and a $10 router bit at www.routerbits.com (they use whiteside router bits which I think are the best router bits made)

haha.. well it is really basic... of course somtimes easy ideas are the good ones.. I use a much more in depth drill press rosette cutter that cuts multiple rosettes at the same time, but for my ukes just one ring it is simple... I'll snap a pic and post it... Prepared NOT to be in awe